Utah Driver Crashes and Flees, Leaving Kids Behind

Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office(SALT LAKE CITY) — A Utah dad is facing drunk driving and child endangerment charges after he allegedly rear-ended another car and fled the scene, leaving his injured children behind.

Michael David Stoltenberg, 27, was driving his Toyota Corolla near Trolly Square in Salt Lake City around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday when, according to police, he ran his vehicle into the rear of another vehicle, and then ran off.

Stoltenberg’s young children, ages 9 and 2, were in the car at the time. Police say that they sustained minor injuries in the crash that were consistent with airbag deployment. The driver of the other vehicle, who was uninjured, called the cops who soon contacted the children’s father.

“Police on the scene investigating were able to determine who the driver was, either through the 9-year-old or from the documents in the car,” Detective Dennis McGowan told ABC News.

McGowan said that it was about 30-45 minutes between the accident and when Stoltenberg returned to the scene, after being contacted by Salt Lake City police.

“He was initially reluctant to return, but then he did,” McGowan said.

Once he came back to his vehicle police administered a breathalyzer test. Stoltenberg’s blood alcohol content was at .302, nearly four times the legal limit to drive, police said.

The children were taken to the hospital and checked out, and were released into the custody of an aunt and grandmother, the officer said. He said his department is still looking into the whereabouts of the kids’ mother.

“In an incident like this, our department of children and family services typically gets involved,” he said.

Stoltenberg was charged with DUI (1st or 2nd) causing bodily injury, improper lookout, driving on a denied license and hit and run, according to the Salt Lake County Metro jail.

A bond for Stoltenberg of $4,995 has not yet been posted, according to the Salt Lake County Metro jail’s website.